Osorio left fuming with Brazil playacting after Mexico loss

Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio was left incredulous following his side’s 2-0 defeat by a Neymar-inspired Brazil in the World Cup last-16 on Monday as he criticised Brazilian playacting and the match officials for allowing it.

After imposing themselves on the five time World Cup winners during a frenetic first 20 minutes, Mexico gradually faded from the game as Brazil took control with Neymar scoring one goal and providing an assist for substitute Roberto Firmino.

In trying to explain his team’s loss of intensity, Osorio blamed Italian referee Gianluca Rocchi for disrupting the game by awarding lenient fouls to Brazil.

He did not call out Neymar by name but it was clear which opposing player had particularly riled Osorio.

“Stats say we had 53 percent possession. I think we controlled the game mostly and unfortunately - and it is a shame for football - we wasted a lot of time because of one player."

“There was a four-minute stoppage at one point and this is a very negative example for the world of football and all the children who are following the game,” said a clearly irritated Osorio.

“This should be a strong sport, a man’s sport. I think there shouldn’t be so much acting.”

“This had an impact on our pace.”

Osorio also suggested his team had a specific plan in dealing with Neymar but that it went out of the window due to the referee’s handing of the match.

“We wanted to play fair and just mark him and for the first 20 minutes we did a good job,” he said.

“We did a 50/50 challenge and got a yellow card (for Edson Alvarez) so then we changed it to Layun so we wouldn’t get another yellow card (for Alvarez).”

“We wanted just to play and compete."

The defeat means Mexico have gone out of the World Cup in the last-16 in the last seven tournaments. To go one stage further, Osorio believes more Mexicans need to be playing in Europe’s top divisions.

“I would like to say once again that being able to play at this level against Brazil shows we are a good team,” he said.

Juan Carlos Osorio: ''It's not a good example for football, for children who are watching. This should be strong sport. It's a men's sport so there shouldn't be so much acting.'' #BRAMEX#Neymarpic.twitter.com/hLYlMUt7h1